No need to wonder where my support lies-- I was stunned when I read this jerk wanted you to give up your cats for him. No way would I EVER give up any pet for anyone . People also know that they're more than welcome in our house BUT this is my dog's home also, my dogs get first dibs no matter who the guests are as long as they are behaving .

Geez, yeah definitely don't waste your time on that. I told my hubby long ago that if he asked me to choose him or the dogs I'd choose the dogs....not because I love the dogs more than him but because if he loved me he'd know that getting rid of the dogs is not something I could ever do, and something no one that loved me would try to make me do. That would be like making me choose between being myself and not being myself, having the dogs is a part of who I am. Needless to say he has not and never will make me choose (and no he never said he was going to make me choose or anything like that I just warned him ahead of time to not try because he would lose lol- and I love him dearly).

I agree with Jessika. I couldn't be in a relationship with someone who didn't get that I am a package deal or didn't like my dogs. That is a part of you, as a pet lover, and if they can't see that, they don't really love you. My ex seemed to get it, but it still didn't work out.

ANYWAY, I am glad you said NO to this jerk!! He sounds extremely controlling. Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

"I always felt that when someone introduces you to the outdoors, you come to feel like you owe them something. ‘Cause what they really gave you is a lifetime of memories, and a lifestyle you’ll always love. Of course I suppose the best way to pay them back is to be that person for someone else. "

I think the first conversation I had with my husband was if he liked animals. His response was that he liked dogs and horses. He now has dogs and cats and guinea pigs and at one time, a raccoon. He has loved them all. We met online and had his answer to my first question to him been that he didn't like animals, the relationship would have ended way before it began. My animals have always been my first priority. Always. I have never been in a relationship with anyone who didn't like animals.

I have 13 pets -- plus fish. As I meet men, or read about them online, I start to wonder about the ones who have dogs and cats - especially the guy who had a total of 4. Really? Am I going to pursue this relationship, see how it goes, with the possibility that we may have to blend into one household with 17 pets? Yes I DID have 15 pets for over 2 years, it was chaos. It was MY chaos and I was very VERY fortunate everyone got along.

At this point in time, do I have to look for a guy who loves animals and doesn't have any pets?? I get a headache thinking bout it!

Sorry Gayle, probably doesn't belong in your thread, but you seem comfortable with how you handled the issue you had.

I have 13 pets -- plus fish. As I meet men, or read about them online, I start to wonder about the ones who have dogs and cats - especially the guy who had a total of 4. Really? Am I going to pursue this relationship, see how it goes, with the possibility that we may have to blend into one household with 17 pets? Yes I DID have 15 pets for over 2 years, it was chaos. It was MY chaos and I was very VERY fortunate everyone got along.

At this point in time, do I have to look for a guy who loves animals and doesn't have any pets?? I get a headache thinking bout it!

Sorry Gayle, probably doesn't belong in your thread, but you seem comfortable with how you handled the issue you had.

I was lucky and my hubby loves animals but didn't have any when I met him. Of course at one time we have had upwards of your numbers, Freedom. Currently we are down to 5 dogs, 1 cat (mothers), and 3 guinea pigs in the house...

To give a little more detail as to why this was such a surprise. He knew I had cats at the start. I knew he didn't like the hair so I had lots of lint rollers. I also advised early on that if he made me choose my cats would win every time. He pet them. He bought them toys for Christmas. I thought things were pretty good. Then we broke up, then came the shocking request.

This thread makes me think of Paul's first encounter with my family ... as soon as he sat on the living room couch, Gracie (3/4 Great Dane) joyfully covered his face with kisses, which he endured patiently, until I told her to stop just to give him a break! She then proceeded to LEAN on him, which turned into the very first thread ever on Pet Talk many years later!

This thread makes me think of Paul's first encounter with my family ... as soon as he sat on the living room couch, Gracie (3/4 Great Dane) joyfully covered his face with kisses, which he endured patiently, until I told her to stop just to give him a break! She then proceeded to LEAN on him, which turned into the very first thread ever on Pet Talk many years later!

If he's that demanding after dating only a few months, imagine what he would be like as a partner. Of course you made the right choice. How could he expect that you would give up your furkids? Ridiculous!